The NHL Experts blog is a collaboration of voices from around and inside the game of hockey. With viewpoints ranging from the press box to the front office, the Experts blog will offer unique perspectives through the playoffs to keep readers informed of significant storylines in all aspects of the game.

The offseason begins the moment a team is eliminated, and for the Washington Capitals, that moment came much too soon. Alex Ovechkin's disappointment was deep, and he looked into changing his offseason training program as a means of ensuring a better playoff result next year. I don't think Alex needs to make drastic changes to his training program, nor do I think the Caps have to make drastic changes to their roster. What they do need to do is clearly assess their team and make changes that will get them on the path to winning the Stanley Cup.

There are always plenty of trade ideas being thrown around, but I want to focus on ones that address needs and also involve a likely trading partner, all while keeping an eye on salary cap dynamics. With these parameters in place, here are a few trade possibilities for the Caps:

Washington has an embarrassment of riches at the goaltending position. Seeing as how three goalies can't be part of a roster, and Michal Neuvirth, Semyon Varlamov and Braden Holtby are all more than capable, the Caps should look to make a deal. One potential trading partner is the Philadelphia Flyers. Scott Hartnell is a rugged winger who would make Washington harder to play against, and perhaps expanding the trade to include defensemen -- Jeff Schultz for Braydon Coburn, perhaps? -- could benefit both teams.

A big, excellent-skating defenseman like Coburn would help the Caps. Schultz is a steady blueliner who could add a little salary cap relief to the Flyers.

Washington acquired Jason Arnott to fill the hole at the second line center position, but with Arnott's pending unrestricted free agent status, this gap may open again.

It's a great thing for a team to be able to address two needs at once; both the actual position and add some winning experience. When I was the GM of the Calgary Flames, I looked to do this and found a fit with the Colorado Avalanche, trading Derek Morris for Chris Drury and Stephane Yelle.

I think the Caps might be able to work a deal like this with the Detroit Red Wings. Valtteri Filppula is the guy they should target, as he would fit in nicely with Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson down the middle. Washington could offer Mike Green, who would be a nice addition to the aging Detroit defense. With John Carlson looking more and more confident in his play, and prospect Dmitri Orlov getting ready to push for a spot in the lineup, Green may be expendable for the right player -- and Filppula fits for a lot of reasons. Looking ahead to free agency, Jonathan Ericsson could be a target of Washington's as well.

The Dallas Stars are another team that could have interest in Green, as they've been looking for a replacement for Sergei Zubov. Washington might want to look to swap Green for Brenden Morrow or Mark Fistric, a hard-nosed defenseman who would make the front of the Caps' net a very unpleasant place for opponents.

Looking north of the border, the Flames are in something of a transition and Green, who hails from Calgary, could be a catalyst for some offense from the blue line. The Flames have a big, strong defenseman in Robyn Regehr who terrorizes opponents and would be a nice addition to the Capitals' roster. Perhaps talk of trading a young western Canadian prospect like Cody Eakin could open up possibilities to discuss players such as Rene Bourque or David Moss, who would add skating, scoring and size to the Washington lineup.

And finally here's an idea for a blockbuster deal -- albeit one that may be a little fanciful. Trade one of the young goalies, Green and Alexander Semin to the Anaheim Ducks for Francois Beauchemin -- who fits the definition of the rugged defenseman with Stanley Cup winning experience -- and Bobby Ryan. How would Ryan, Backstrom and Ovechkin look together?

Some of these trade proposals might seem like stretches, but if the Capitals want to improve to a championship-caliber level, they are going to have to be bold in their attempts to upgrade their roster.

The NHL Experts blog is a collaboration of voices from around and inside the game of hockey. With viewpoints ranging from the press box to the front office, the Experts blog will offer unique perspectives through the playoffs to keep readers informed of significant storylines in all aspects of the game.

The offseason begins the moment a team is eliminated, and for the Washington Capitals, that moment came much too soon. Alex Ovechkin's disappointment was deep, and he looked into changing his offseason training program as a means of ensuring a better playoff result next year. I don't think Alex needs to make drastic changes to his training program, nor do I think the Caps have to make drastic changes to their roster. What they do need to do is clearly assess their team and make changes that will get them on the path to winning the Stanley Cup.

There are always plenty of trade ideas being thrown around, but I want to focus on ones that address needs and also involve a likely trading partner, all while keeping an eye on salary cap dynamics. With these parameters in place, here are a few trade possibilities for the Caps:

Washington has an embarrassment of riches at the goaltending position. Seeing as how three goalies can't be part of a roster, and Michal Neuvirth, Semyon Varlamov and Braden Holtby are all more than capable, the Caps should look to make a deal. One potential trading partner is the Philadelphia Flyers. Scott Hartnell is a rugged winger who would make Washington harder to play against, and perhaps expanding the trade to include defensemen -- Jeff Schultz for Braydon Coburn, perhaps? -- could benefit both teams.

A big, excellent-skating defenseman like Coburn would help the Caps. Schultz is a steady blueliner who could add a little salary cap relief to the Flyers.

Washington acquired Jason Arnott to fill the hole at the second line center position, but with Arnott's pending unrestricted free agent status, this gap may open again.

It's a great thing for a team to be able to address two needs at once; both the actual position and add some winning experience. When I was the GM of the Calgary Flames, I looked to do this and found a fit with the Colorado Avalanche, trading Derek Morris for Chris Drury and Stephane Yelle.

I think the Caps might be able to work a deal like this with the Detroit Red Wings. Valtteri Filppula is the guy they should target, as he would fit in nicely with Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson down the middle. Washington could offer Mike Green, who would be a nice addition to the aging Detroit defense. With John Carlson looking more and more confident in his play, and prospect Dmitri Orlov getting ready to push for a spot in the lineup, Green may be expendable for the right player -- and Filppula fits for a lot of reasons. Looking ahead to free agency, Jonathan Ericsson could be a target of Washington's as well.

The Dallas Stars are another team that could have interest in Green, as they've been looking for a replacement for Sergei Zubov. Washington might want to look to swap Green for Brenden Morrow or Mark Fistric, a hard-nosed defenseman who would make the front of the Caps' net a very unpleasant place for opponents.

Looking north of the border, the Flames are in something of a transition and Green, who hails from Calgary, could be a catalyst for some offense from the blue line. The Flames have a big, strong defenseman in Robyn Regehr who terrorizes opponents and would be a nice addition to the Capitals' roster. Perhaps talk of trading a young western Canadian prospect like Cody Eakin could open up possibilities to discuss players such as Rene Bourque or David Moss, who would add skating, scoring and size to the Washington lineup.

And finally here's an idea for a blockbuster deal -- albeit one that may be a little fanciful. Trade one of the young goalies, Green and Alexander Semin to the Anaheim Ducks for Francois Beauchemin -- who fits the definition of the rugged defenseman with Stanley Cup winning experience -- and Bobby Ryan. How would Ryan, Backstrom and Ovechkin look together?

Some of these trade proposals might seem like stretches, but if the Capitals want to improve to a championship-caliber level, they are going to have to be bold in their attempts to upgrade their roster.

whats even more amazing about the 5 million cap increase. it allows the flyers to only trade one versteeg or carle... both make i think 3.5 mil (don't quote me on that) if the rumors are true about bryz signing for 5 mil it gives the flyers about 5 mill to spend, i think (not sure gotta check capgeek)...anyway enough to resign leino, couple RFA and a UFA

whats even more amazing about the 5 million cap increase. it allows the flyers to only trade one versteeg or carle... both make i think 3.5 mil (don't quote me on that) if the rumors are true about bryz signing for 5 mil it gives the flyers about 5 mill to spend, i think (not sure gotta check capgeek)...anyway enough to resign leino, couple RFA and a UFA

One thing I'm gonna look for and more curious about, is this is Schenn's year to come up full time. That will be $3M committed if they do, and if the team will still have enough money to work with a key FA.

I know the Kings will work out a big extension with Drew Doughty, I hope. Simmonds needs to be re-upped and so is Brad Richardson. I would like to see Handzus come back, he was key for L.A. last season.

One thing I'm gonna look for and more curious about, is this is Schenn's year to come up full time. That will be $3M committed if they do, and if the team will still have enough money to work with a key FA.

I know the Kings will work out a big extension with Drew Doughty, I hope. Simmonds needs to be re-upped and so is Brad Richardson. I would like to see Handzus come back, he was key for L.A. last season.

Could Ryan Smyth
be returning to the Edmonton Oilers in order to finish his career with
the team that selected him in the first round of the 1994 entry draft?

A deal certainly isn't imminent and won't necessarily be an easy
transaction for either the Los Angeles Kings or Oilers to close, but
sources tell TSN the 35-year-old left winger has indicated to the Kings
his preference would be to play next season in Edmonton if a trade can
be worked out.

As much as the potential return of Smyth, a.k.a.
Captain Canada, to Edmonton might warm the hearts of sentimentalists who
so closely identify the mop-haired veteran with the Oiler franchise,
there are some practical reasons why it won't be an easy deal to
facilitate and there's no guarantee it will happen at all.

For
starters, Smyth is an integral part of the Kings' offence. He scored 23
goals and 47 points in 82 games this past season. He's fourth on the
team in goals and points and he still averaged 18:02 of icetime per game
last season, third most (behind only Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown) amongst L.A. forwards.

In
other words, the Kings, who are desperately seeking to upgrade their
top-six forward positions, aren't about to give away Smyth for nothing.
Yet they also realize market value for a 35-year-old, even one as
productive is Smyth, is fairly limited.

Smyth is on the final
year of a contract that will pay him $4.5 million this season although
the cap hit is $6.25 million. The finances of all of this may also be an
issue for the Oilers.

Sources say the Oilers' management team
may only be lukewarm to the idea of Smyth returning "home." The reality
is that the Oilers are in a major rebuilding phase and going with a
youth movement. Adding $4.5 million to the payroll, with a $6.25 million
cap hit, for a 35-year-old forward, even one with the local marquee
value of Smyth, isn't a slam dunk unless the Oilers can offload some
salary.

But financial considerations aside, the Oilers
ultimately have to decide whether they want Smyth at this stage of his
career. Some believe he's precisely the type of veteran mentor who would
do a good job working alongside the Oilers' youngsters. Others aren't
so sure of the merits of a potential homecoming.

The Kings and
Oilers have not had substantive trade talks by any means, but both
organizations are well aware of the existing situation. That is, in a
perfect world, Smyth has indicated he would like to return "home" to the
Edmonton Oilers.

Could Ryan Smyth
be returning to the Edmonton Oilers in order to finish his career with
the team that selected him in the first round of the 1994 entry draft?

A deal certainly isn't imminent and won't necessarily be an easy
transaction for either the Los Angeles Kings or Oilers to close, but
sources tell TSN the 35-year-old left winger has indicated to the Kings
his preference would be to play next season in Edmonton if a trade can
be worked out.

As much as the potential return of Smyth, a.k.a.
Captain Canada, to Edmonton might warm the hearts of sentimentalists who
so closely identify the mop-haired veteran with the Oiler franchise,
there are some practical reasons why it won't be an easy deal to
facilitate and there's no guarantee it will happen at all.

For
starters, Smyth is an integral part of the Kings' offence. He scored 23
goals and 47 points in 82 games this past season. He's fourth on the
team in goals and points and he still averaged 18:02 of icetime per game
last season, third most (behind only Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown) amongst L.A. forwards.

In
other words, the Kings, who are desperately seeking to upgrade their
top-six forward positions, aren't about to give away Smyth for nothing.
Yet they also realize market value for a 35-year-old, even one as
productive is Smyth, is fairly limited.

Smyth is on the final
year of a contract that will pay him $4.5 million this season although
the cap hit is $6.25 million. The finances of all of this may also be an
issue for the Oilers.

Sources say the Oilers' management team
may only be lukewarm to the idea of Smyth returning "home." The reality
is that the Oilers are in a major rebuilding phase and going with a
youth movement. Adding $4.5 million to the payroll, with a $6.25 million
cap hit, for a 35-year-old forward, even one with the local marquee
value of Smyth, isn't a slam dunk unless the Oilers can offload some
salary.

But financial considerations aside, the Oilers
ultimately have to decide whether they want Smyth at this stage of his
career. Some believe he's precisely the type of veteran mentor who would
do a good job working alongside the Oilers' youngsters. Others aren't
so sure of the merits of a potential homecoming.

The Kings and
Oilers have not had substantive trade talks by any means, but both
organizations are well aware of the existing situation. That is, in a
perfect world, Smyth has indicated he would like to return "home" to the
Edmonton Oilers.

jewsee...i actually think we re-sign kaberle. his 11 points in very limited ice time during the playoffs didn't go unnoticed. and the GM has a hard on for him as well. just depends if he's willing to take a pay cut

as far as savy...i can't call him soft. short term memory loss is no joke. it's not like he's symptom free and choosing to sit out. he couldnt even make a flight to VAN due to headaches and dizziness...months removed from playing. but yeah, don't see him coming back as you said.

jewsee...i actually think we re-sign kaberle. his 11 points in very limited ice time during the playoffs didn't go unnoticed. and the GM has a hard on for him as well. just depends if he's willing to take a pay cut

as far as savy...i can't call him soft. short term memory loss is no joke. it's not like he's symptom free and choosing to sit out. he couldnt even make a flight to VAN due to headaches and dizziness...months removed from playing. but yeah, don't see him coming back as you said.